While Asperger's Disorder was added to the American Psychiatric Association's Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-IV) in 1994 as its own disorder, separate from autism, many professionals consider it a less severe form of autism. What is it about Asperger’s that sets it apart from other types of ASDs?

Characteristics of Asperger’s Disorder

The Autism Society describes the characteristics of Asperger’s as being like those of a “normal” child to the untrained eye – just one whose behavior is different. Children with this disorder frequently have good language and cognitive skills. In fact, what sets it apart from other ASDs is the degree to which children are affected and the severity of symptoms.

Children with Asperger's Disorder do not appear uninterested in others, as do children with autism. Asperger’s children usually want to interact with others but just don’t know how to do so. They may show a lack of empathy or be socially awkward, make limited eye contact, and seem disengaged in conversation.
Children with Asperger’s often have interests in subjects that may border on an obsession. Collecting things like bottle caps, or being proficient in categories of information, such as baseball statistics, are characteristics of Asperger’s. These children have difficulty with abstract concepts, but have good rote memory skills.

By definition, there is no speech delay with Asperger’s Disorder. These children often have good language skills but use language in an unusual way: speech may lack inflection, or have a rhythmic nature. Subtleties of language such as irony or humor may be lost on these children, and they may not understand the way a conversation works and cannot engage in the give-and-take of conversation.
Most children with Asperger’s have average to above average intelligence and do not have significant cognitive delays. Motor skills may be delayed, however, and these children may seem awkward or clumsy.

How is Asperger’s Diagnosed?

Whether Asperger’s diagnoses are on the rise is unclear: it may be that it is simply being detected more frequently, not occurring more frequently. To be diagnosed with Asperger’s, a child must have normal language development and intelligence, but have “severe and sustained impairment in social interaction, and the development of restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests and activities that must cause clinically significant impairment in social, occupational or other important areas of functioning."
Developmental history and observation is key to diagnosing this disorder; if it is suspected, then generally a diagnosis of autism will be ruled out first. As with any other disorder, early diagnosis and treatment is key in getting treatment started, so check with your pediatrician first if you have concerns that your child may be affected by this disorder.

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